Colombian President Gustavo Petro has officially confirmed a high-stakes diplomatic meeting with US President Donald Trump scheduled for February 3rd at the White House. The announcement came during a publicly broadcast cabinet meeting on Wednesday, where Petro emphasized the critical nature of these bilateral discussions.
The meeting, established through formal diplomatic channels between the two governments, will mark the first face-to-face encounter between the leaders since Trump’s return to office. Central to the agenda will be addressing persistent issues in US-Colombia relations, with drug trafficking prevention emerging as a primary focus area.
President Trump had previously expressed enthusiasm for the January meeting following a January 7th phone conversation between the leaders, during which he publicly praised Petro and emphasized the importance of continued dialogue on narcotics control.
The diplomatic engagement occurs against a backdrop of heightened US pressure on Latin American nations regarding security and drug-related matters. Tensions surfaced earlier this month when Trump issued veiled threats toward Colombia on January 4th, suggesting that taking action against the country “sounds good.” Petro responded decisively via social media the following day, indicating readiness to “take up again the weapons that no one wants to touch” in response to what he characterized as “illegal threats.”
Despite these diplomatic friction points, both administrations appear committed to dialogue, with Petro underscoring the meeting’s significance for ensuring the safety and security of the Colombian people.